Learning how self hypnosis works, to use to improve yourself

This section explains skillful use of suggestion in self hypnosis; allowing you to enter this state very easily.

Recalling the components of self hypnosis: the elements of intense focus, the relaxation, the power of suggestion that DOES influence your subconscious, and DOES result in behavior change and thought change.

Self hypnosis is just the ability to relax, focus concentration and use your imagination.

Principles of creating Self Hypnosis – positive words

The content of your suggestions to yourself is very important.

To be most effective, hypnotic suggestions must be:

positive,

specific,

measurable,

beneficial and

in the present tense.

Let’s look at each of these individually.

Firstly, your suggestions must be positive in both purpose and content.

This means you do not use the word ‘not’ because your subconscious ignores the word ‘not’ and thus receives the command to do exactly the opposite of what you wish.

Test that right now. Close your eyes and say to yourself, “I will not think of a green dog.” You will naturally, of course, think of a green dog.

Avoid saying you’ll try. You wouldn’t want your dentist to tell you he’s going to try to do a root canal, would you?

Try denotes failure to the subconscious. How many times have people said, “I will try to get there” more than likely they won’t because it is a half effort.

Now here are some do’s and don’ts:

Do not say, “I will not smoke,” but rather say, “I am free from the need to smoke.”

Here’s another one, don’t say, “I will not get angry,” do say, “I am calm and relaxed.”

Don’t say, “I will try not to be afraid of flying,” do say, “I am calm and confident when flying.”

The next is, being specific and measurable.

Your positive suggestions should be specific. The subconscious takes things literally, and accepts all suggestions as the truth.

Remember, there is no critical thinking in your subconscious, as there is in your conscious mind. Therefore, the more precise your suggestion, the more easily it is accepted.

Some Examples of being very specific:

Do not say, “I will control my eating,” do say, “I eat three meals a day and nothing else.”

Don’t say, “I am going to get lots of exercise,” do say, “Each day from 7:30 to 8 a.m. I walk briskly.”

Another reason for your positive suggestions to be specific is that you can now measure your progress. In the examples above, you could record what you ate at each meal, how much study you do and when, and how you’re exercising.

The next area is about benefits.

Your positive, specific, measurable suggestions will be better absorbed by your subconscious, if they can be a benefit to your well being so add the element of enjoyment to your suggestions.

Some Examples of adding enjoyment:

Do not say, “Every day I write at least two pages in my diary,” do say, “Every day I enjoy writing at least two pages in my book.”

Yet again, don’t say, “From now on I take longer walks. ” Rather say, “From now on I enjoy taking longer walks.”

Do not say, “I relax in self hypnosis from 3 to 3:30 each afternoon.” Instead say, “I enjoy relaxing in self hypnosis from 3 to 3:30 each afternoon.”

The next area is speaking in the present tense

Because of the tendency of the subconscious to take things literally it is advisable to make your positive, specific, measurable and beneficial suggestions in the present tense.

This also helps to entrench the new behaviour or attitude as a permanent part of you, not as something that applies only to some vague time to come, or even to a particular date in the future like next March when you are scheduled for the dentist.

Don’t say, “I will be confident about going to the dentist next March 10th.” Instead use a phrase like, “I am confident and enjoy my visits to the dentist, including my visit on March 10th.”
Do not say, “I’ll not have headaches any more,” but say, “from now on I enjoy a clear head, free from discomfort.”

And finally, “I choose”

For an even more powerful effect, add phrases like, I choose or you choose to your suggestions.

For Example:

“I choose to enjoy being a non-smoker for life” or

“I choose to enjoy eating smaller portions.”

Now take some time and write down your suggestions, keeping in mind the proper way to use language. It takes practice. It is helpful to practice writing suggestions to yourself, just prior to sleep time, because while you are asleep, your dreaming mind will work on it further for you.

What to do next?

Writing positive power-of-suggestion phrases is helpful. Now you need to use them. Use them regularly. Find a way now, that works, that you can do regularly.